Artificial-stone divider.



No. 635,096. Patented ont. I7, |899.

' B. F. GREGORY.

AIITIFIcIAI.- sToIIE DIvIuen.

(Applicaticn filed Aug. 3, 1898,)

(No Model.)

7W MMM ms mams PETERS co, Puo'mLI'rno..wAsI1INsTnN. n. c.

Uwrrnn fr afrns .arnr rrrcn.

BENJAMIN F. GREGORY, OF STERLING, ILLINOIS.

ARTIFICIAL-STDINE DIVIDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 635,096, dated October 1'?, 1899*. Application led August 3, 1898. Serial No. 687,667. (No model.)

To (LZZ LU/tom it may concern;

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. GREGORY, a citizen of the United States, residing atSteri ling, in the county of Whiteside and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Artificial-Stone Dividers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompany-v `walk by running timbers or stringers along either side thereof parallel with and distant from each other the width of the proposed walk. Between these stringers the walk is then constructed by putting in alternate blocks, which are iilled in` after the first series of blocks has set or hardened, the adjacent blocks being thus rendered independent of one another. In forming the `first series of blocks the form of the block has heretofore been' completed by placing cross-pieces of wood, equal in length to the width of the walk, distant from each other the length of the block to be formed. Before the alternate spaces were filled in these cross-pieces were removed. By the use of my device these cross-pieces, of which quite a number were required, are done away with7 and the construction of thewalk is rendered continuous, instead of it being necessary to build one,- half of the walk and then go back and complete it, as heretofore, whereby considerable time was lost. By the old process after the second series of blocks was constructed the contiguous blocks were separated by running a trowel between them; but this was often improperly done, resulting in a cracking of the Walk. After the top dressing was on it was impossible to locate the joints between the stones unless marks had been previously made upon the side stringers; but

these marks were often improperly placed and often omitted through carelessness. By the use of my invention this difficulty is obviated, as my device not only operates to complete and strengthen the form, but efliciently insulates or separates the contiguous blocks.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of my invention when in use. Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

l l represent the stringers which constitute the sides of the form, held temporarily in place by small stakes 2 2.

3 is a metallic plate or blade,preferably of steel, equal in length to the Width of the proposed walk and provided at the ends with the prongs 4, adapted to impinge the inner faces of the stringers l and prevent a :movement of the plate 3 when in position. At each end of the plate 3, having longitudinal play on the upper edge thereof, are movable braces 5 5, loosely held in place by the loops or guides 6 G, rigidly secured to the plate 3. The outer end of the brace 5 is projected downwardly at right angles to the brace into the hook 7, provided with prongs S and adapted to embrace the outer face of the Stringer l.

9 is a lever pivotally secured to the plate 3, as at a, and provided with a pawl l0, adapted to engage the ratchet 1l on the upper edge of the brace 5. The lever 9 is also provided with a longitudinal slot l2, loosely engaging the pntle 13, secured to the brace 5.

In operation two of my devicesare placed in position between the stringers l and such distance apart as it is desired to'make the block of stone. By throwing the levers 9 inward the stringers l are drawn toward each other, the plate 3 and brace 5 clamped or locked together by means of the pawl l0 and ratchet 11, and a rigid and inflexible form provided for the reception of the material. The plate 3 also establishes the width of the walk.

ln the construction of artificiahstone walks after the foundation is prepared the walk proper is usually formed of two layers, the lower or main layer being composed of a mixture of cement and coarse gravel or broken IOO stone and the top layer or surface of cement and sand.

If the contiguous blocks of the lower layer or grout are Well separated, it is sufficient for the preservation and permanence ofthe Walk, and in the use of myinvention, after the lower layer is in position and thoroughly tamped, the instrument nearest that end of the Walk which is first constructed, is removed by releasing the pawls l0 and slipping the plate 3 upward from between the material, replacing such plate in position for the next block. The Withdrawal of the plate 3 leaves a'Welldefined interval between the blocks of stone which it separated When in position.

By reason of the binding of the form together with my invention a less number of small stakes 2 is required, resulting in a considerable saving in material, labor, and time.

WhatIclaim as myinvention, and desire to secure byLetters Patent of the United States, 1s-

1. In yan articial-stone separator, the combination of the plate 3; movable braces 5, adapted to adj ustably engage the plate 3 at its ends; and having hooks 7, substantially as shown and set forth.

2. In an artificial-stone separator, the combination of the plate 3, provided in its ends with the prongs 4L; braces 5, having the hooks 7 at their outer ends, said hooks 7 being further provided With inturned prongs 8; and means to secure the braces 5 and plate 3 together, substantially as shown.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

BENJAMIN F. GREGORY.

Witnesses:

IRVING L. WEAVER, IsAAo N. MARTIN. 

